A pastime is not a mere means to while away the hours, but a vital wellspring of vigour and balance in this tumultuous world. In the swift current of daily labours and domestic cares, a man's chosen pursuit becometh a private haven, wherein he may turn his thoughts from haste, draw breath, and remember his own true desires. Whether it be the knitting of threads, the running of footraces, or the playing of the lute, a hobby doth return us to the state of "here and now," easing the troubled mind and strengthening the inner spirit.

Furthermore, such pleasures grant us a sense of progress and craft, which in the drudgery of adult life is oftentimes sorely missed. Each small triumph—a new chord struck, a fish pulled from the brook, or a dish fairly cooked—doth add a drop of joy to our days, and a reason for honest pride. In the end, a man's pastime shapeth his very soul, building about him a sphere of liberty and true delight, wherein he standeth as the master and author of his own time.